read the ministerial journal I advise you
to study the article about Baudoyer; then, as Monsieur Fleury takes the
opposition sheet, you can see the reply. Monsieur Rabourdin certainly
has talent, but a man who in these days gives a six-thousand-franc
monstrance to the Church has a devilish deal more talent than he."

Bixiou [entering]. "What say you, gentlemen, to the First Epistle to the
Corinthians in our pious ministerial journal, and the reply Epistle to
the Ministers in the opposition sheet? How does Monsieur Rabourdin feel
now, du Bruel?"

Du Bruel [rushing in]. "I don't know." [He drags Bixiou back into his
cabinet, and says in a low voice] "My good fellow, your way of helping
people is like that of the hangman who jumps upon a victim's shoulders
to break his neck. You got me into a scrape with des Lupeaulx, which my
folly in ever trusting you richly deserved. A fine thing indeed, that
article on La Billardiere. I sha'n't forget the trick! Why, the very
first sentence was as good as telling the King he was superannuated and
it was time for him to die. And as to that Quiberon bit, it said plainly
that the King was a--What a fool I was!"

Bixiou [laughing]. "Bless my heart! are you getting angry? Can't a
fellow joke any more?"

Du Bruel. "Joke! joke indeed. When you want to be made head-clerk
somebody shall joke with you, my dear fellow."

Bixiou [in a bullying tone]. "Angry, are we?"

Du Bruel. "Yes!"

Bixiou [dryly]. "So much the worse for you."

Du Bruel [uneasy]. "You wouldn't pardon such a thing yourself, I know."

Bixiou [in a wheedling tone]. "To a friend? indeed I would." [They hear
Fleury's voice.] "There's Fleury cursing Baudoyer. Hey, how well
the thing has been managed! Baudoyer will get the appointment."
[Confidentially] "After all, so much the better. Du Bruel, just keep
your eye on the consequences. Rabourdin would be a mean-spirited
creature to stay under Baudoyer; he will send in his registration, and
that will give us two places. You can be head of the bureau and take me
for under-head-clerk. We will make vaudevilles together, and I'll fag at
your work in the office."

Du Bruel [smiling]. "Dear me, I never thought of that. Poor Rabourdin! I
shall be sorry for him, though."

Bixiou. "That shows how much you love him!" [Changing his tone] "Ah,
well, I don't pity him any longer. He's rich; his wife gives parties and
doesn't ask me,--me, who go everywhere! Well, good-bye, my dear fellow,